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Ruined castles hanging on the precipices of piny mountains, the

impetuous Arve, and cottages every here and there peeping forth

from among the trees formed a scene of singular beauty. But it

was augmented and rendered sublime by the mighty Alps, whose

white and shining pyramids and domes towered above all, as

belonging to another earth, the habitations of another race of

beings.

I passed the bridge of Pelissier, where the ravine, which the

river forms, opened before me, and I began to ascend the mountain

that overhangs it. Soon after, I entered the valley of Chamounix.

This valley is more wonderful and sublime, but not so beautiful

and picturesque as that of Servox, through which I had just

passed. The high and snowy mountains were its immediate

boundaries, but I saw no more ruined castles and fertile fields.

Immense glaciers approached the road; I heard the rumbling

thunder of the falling avalanche and marked the smoke of its

passage. Mont Blanc, the supreme and magnificent Mont Blanc,

raised itself from the surrounding aiguilles, and its tremendous

dome overlooked the valley.